A controversial bid to allow a historic railway bridge to remain filled in with concrete is set to come before councillors.

National Highways filled in the structure at Congham, on the former King’s Lynn to Fakenham line two years ago, claimning it was a public safety risk.

But the decision and similar schemes around the UK have prompted outrage from heritage campaigners.

More than 350 people have objected to the bridge being blocked off at Congham, near King's Lynn.

Eastern Daily Press: Congham Bridge before it was filled in with concreteCongham Bridge before it was filled in with concrete (Image: Richard Humphrey)

The work was carried out without planning permission with National Highways saying it did not need it.

But West Norfolk council has ordered it to apply retrospectively - meaning it would have to remove the material were it to be refused.

A spokesman said the application was set to be discussed at either the September 4 or October 2 meeting of its planning committee.

Some 353 people have lodged objections via the council's planning portal, while just five have expressed support.

Steve Brown posted: "The bridge is a heritage asset with the potential to become a leisure asset too as part of a greenway development. It should be maintained not destroyed."

Eastern Daily Press: The bridge carries a lane across the former railway lineThe bridge carries a lane across the former railway line (Image: The HRE Group)

Anthony Purkiss added: "The infilling of the bridge amounts to the desecration of a Victorian piece of architecture."

Jane Cowley said: "Retrospective planning permission should not be given.

"National Highways should be instructed to remove all the unsightly concrete etc and restore the bridge to its former glory."

There were hopes some of the web of former branch lines which criss-cross Norfolk could be transformed into routes for cycling and walking, including the Lynn - Fakenham line which closed to passengers in 1959.

Eastern Daily Press: The bridge pictured before the railway line closedThe bridge pictured before the railway line closed (Image: M&GN Trust)

The Historic Rail Estate (HRE) Group said the bridge had now been "put beyond use", effectively blocking any future route.

The bridge is one of just six which were built in the 1920s by William Marriott, engineer of the Midland and Great Northern Railway, featuring curved wingwalls.

National Highways said the infill would preserve it for posterity.

The roads agency has been ordered to remove concrete used to infill a bridge in Cumbria by the local council.